Photo for Headline Surfer® / DELAND -- A community activist is leading a grassroots "goodwill job connection" seminar on Friday for those who have had brushes with the law and are having trouble finding employment.
The seminar will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Stockton Lindquist House, 244 E. Beresford Ave., DeLand. Goodwill Job Connection is partnering with Families United 4 Justice in making this event a reality.
It includes such topics as federal bonding information, help with writing a resume, tax credits, companies that hire ex-offenders, how to get criminal records sealed and expunged, clemency and tips on filling out applications and successful interviews.
"Tomorrow will be the day that we receive information that will initiate positive change for our futures," said Krystal Brown, one of the key organizers who ran for a seat on the DeLand City Commission in the Aug. 26 primary, coming up short. She is the widow of Marlon Brown, himself an ex-offender, run over and killed last year by a DeLand cop after a traffic stop, who was subsequently fired. He was not charged in the incident.
Brown wants to see opportunities develop for others like the father of her children, and welcomes all to the event: "We have a nice size group coming. It's not too late to sign up."
"Tomorrow will be the day that we receive information that will initiate positive change for our futures," said Krystal Brown, one of the key organizers who ran for a seat on the DeLand City Commission in the Aug. 26 primary, coming up short. She is the widow of Marlon Brown, himself an ex-offender, run over and killed last year by a DeLand cop after a traffic stop, who was subsequently fired. He was not charged in the incident.
Brown wants to see opportunities develop for others like the father of her children, and welcomes all to the event: "We have a nice size group coming. It's not too late to sign up."
For more information, please call Brown at 386-717-6548 or Jacque Doby-Edwards at 386-215-5353.
FAST FACTS: Marlon Brown killed; DeLand cop fired, but no criminal charges filed
DELAND -- Marlon Brown, 38, of DeLand, was killed when a patrol car ran him over on May 8, 2012.
He reportedly ran from DeLand cops after a Volusia County Sheriff's deputy tried pulling him over for not wearing a seatbelt, but back off and that's when DeLand police took over since it was within the city limits.
Brown apparently pulled over and bolted from his car. This led to Brown being pursued by a DeLand cop giving chase in a patrol car that ends in a vacant field where he apparently slipped and was run over.
A dash cam video of DeLand cop James Harris' patrol car shows Harris gets out of the patrol car and tells another responding cop, "I think he's underneath the (expletive) car."
Harris was fired, but no criminal charges were brought against him.
A grand jury subsequently found that there wasn't enough evidence to criminally prosecute Harris.
leaving the victim's ex-wife, Krystal Brown, and others questioning whether racism was a factor, considering the circumstances of his death and that the cop was white and Brown was african American.
"My children, Marlon’s family — we’re very disappointed," the widow told Headline Surfer® and many media outlets across the country. "We feel very betrayed by the criminal justice system."
Photo for Headline Surfer® / Tallahassee attorney Benjamin Creump and Krystal Brown held a press conference in DeLand after a Volusia County grnd jury opted not to file criminal charges againstr former DeLand cop in the death of Marlon Brown.An out-of-court settlement for $550,000 was later reached between the City of DeLand and Tallahassee attorney Benjamin on behalf of the Brown family.
Crump represented Trayvon Martin's parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, during the criminal proceedings against George Zimmerman, who shot and killed the unarmed 17-year-old. A jury acquitted Zimmerman of second-degree murder at his trial in Sanford.